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News from CNW Group

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

VANCOUVER, June 20 /CNW/ - The downtown business community will learn about personal excellence from Olympic Champion, Catriona Le May Doan, the featured keynote speaker at this year's Annual Appreciation Award Luncheon of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA), on Friday, June 23, at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

Doan, an Olympic speed skater, has broken the world record eight times. She will make a presentation on personal excellence: achieving your full potential. She will address: What does it take to be the best? What does it take to stay there? The journey of Catriona Le May Doan will inspire the audience members to reach farther than they ever thought possible.

Catriona serves as an inspiration and role model for up-and-coming athletes, especially here in Canada as we prepare to host the 2010 Olympics. Her story, as told in her book, Going for Gold, is about how she became the fastest woman on ice, revealing her personal sources of inspiration while exposing the trials and joys she faced during her remarkable race to the top.

Her presentation will inspire our city, our province, and our country to strive towards personal excellence in all areas of personal and professional development; something to learn from as we get ready to host the world in 2010.

Another highlight of the luncheon will be the presentation of the DVBIA's highest honour - the Appreciation Award. The award recognizes an outstanding individual that has made a significant contribution to the vitality of downtown Vancouver. This year's award recipient is Robert H. Lee, founder and chairman of The Prospero Group of Companies.

Also in attendance at this year's Appreciation Award Luncheon are The Honourable Carole Taylor, Minister of Finance, Mayor Sam Sullivan, Member of Parliament Blair Wilson, several members of Vancouver City Council, Deputy Chief Jim Chu, John Furlong and several other distinguished business leaders.

The DVBIA advocates on behalf of all 8,000 businesses that own or lease property within its 90-block area and champions for a vibrant, healthy and diverse downtown. As the largest business improvement association in the province, the DVBIA is the 'Voice of Downtown Business." The 90-block area includes 2,500 properties, 884 owners, and a combined assessed property value of $5.6 billion.

Catriona Le May Doan will be available to meet the media at 11:30 a.m. prior to the Luncheon on Friday, June 23, 2006 at the Pan Pacific Hotel, 999 Canada Place, or to join us at the luncheon (12 noon till 2:00 p.m., presentation by Catriona Le May Doan to begin at 1:00 p.m.) Please RSVP at 604-685-7811 or marketing@downtownvancouver.net

A media table, an audio feed, sandwiches and light refreshments will be provided to accredited media representatives attending the luncheon.

If you are interested in attending either the media reception, or the luncheon please contact Jennifer Nelson at 604-685-7811 by Thursday, June 22.

For further information: Jennifer Nelson, DVBIA, Phone: (604) 685-7811 or (604) 505-4591, Email: marketing@downtownvancouver.net

© CNW Group